Swiss Currency, Languages, Time Zone and Tax Policy

Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF), Cents

Official languages: German 63.5%, French 22.5%, Italian 8.1%, Romansh 0.5%

Time zone: UTC+1; UTC+2 (from March to October)

Phone prefix: 0041

Bordering countries: In the north: Germany (345km); in the west: France (572km); in the south: Italy (734km), in the east: Liechtenstein (41km) and Austria (165km)

Tax Free Shopping: The VAT is 7.7% in Switzerland: one can ask for Tax Free Form from the shops and reclaim the VAT, if the total amount of shopping is more than CHF 300.-

Smoking Policy: smoking is forbidden in enclosed areas (public buildings, restaurants, offices etc.). It is permitted only in separate smoking rooms, outdoors and private homes